What to do if you get a fine

What can I get a fine for?

Parking and motoring offences are some of the most common reasons to be fined. Speeding, driving a car with no registration or warrant, or breaching licence conditions can all hit us in the pocket.

If you've committed a driving offence or other crime you might also have to pay someone 'reparation' if they’ve suffered emotional harm or lost property as a result.

Councils have the power to fine people for things like parking in the wrong place or for too long, littering or failing to control a dog.

Other council fines can include breaches of local liquor bans, or local noise bylaws. These can result in a fine of up to $10,000 or the sound system being confiscated.

Library fines may seem insignificant compared to other fines – unlike many others they don’t end up in court for collection. But like all fines, it’s worth paying them in full and on time. Libraries can and do send debt collectors after people with large unpaid fines.

It's important to pay your fine

Small debts snowball into big ones quickly and courts can be very unforgiving to non-payers. As stressful as getting a fine can be, we can’t afford to ignore them.

If you don't pay a fine on time, it will be ‘lodged at court for collection’. This immediately adds $30 in court costs to the fine. If you still haven't paid 28 days later, the court can take enforcement action to collect the fine (such as making compulsory deductions from your income or bank account), which adds another $102.

Getting this far would mean a $12 parking fine would grow to $144.

 Find out more about how this process works on the fines.govt.nz website.

Unpaid fines may be included in credit checks

If you have overdue fines or reparation this information may show up as part of your credit reports. This could mean the difference between getting approved for credit to buy something, or being turned down when applying for a loan or an account.

Compulsory deductions and asset seizures

The courts can order ‘compulsory deductions’ from your wages, benefit or bank account. This means they can take money out without your permission.

They can also sieze and sell your property, put a wheel clamp on your car, stop you from leaving the country or have you arrested.

If you commit traffic offences in someone else’s car – like your parents’ – and don’t pay the fines, their car could be seized.

How to pay your fine

There are a few ways to pay a fine – most court and council fines can be paid online or by phone.

To pay a court-related fine, debt or reparation, either:

• Call 0800 4 FINES or 0800 434 637
• Pay by credit card at the fines.govt.nz website
• Pay by internet banking (select Ministry of Justice - Fine as the payee)
• Pay at the local PostShop, Westpac Bank or District Court

What to do if you can't afford your fine

There's help available if you're having trouble paying

If it’s hard finding the extra money to pay court-related fines, call 0800 4 FINES or 0800 434 637. Paying a fine in instalments may be an option.

Reach out to the team at MoneyTalks on 0800 345 123, help@moneytalks.co.nz or text 4029. You can even use this service anonymously if you prefer.

Where to go for help

• Ministry of Justice website to find out more about the fines process
• Ministry of Justice helpline: Call 0800 4 FINES or 0800 434 637
• Reach out to the team at MoneyTalks on 0800 345 123, help@moneytalks.co.nz or text 4029. You can even use this service anonymously if you prefer.